The Jewish Defense League is a Jewish organization which promotes self-defense and combats anti-Semitism. Their symbol consists of a raised fist within a Star of David and their slogan is, "Never Again." It is similar to the Jewish Defense Organization, which it has feuded with,[1] and is falsely labelled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center[2] and the Anti-Defamation League.[3] Founded by Rabbi Meir Kahane and led by Irv Rubin after the former's departure in 1980, the group has thousands of members and branches in various countries. Its founder was assassinated in 1990 by an Islamic extremist.[4] His son and his son's wife were murdered in Israel by "Palestinian" terrorists.[5] Rubin was arrested along with JDL operative Earl Krugel in 2001 for allegedly conspiring to bomb a mosque and an office building of Darrell Issa.[6] Their culpability has been called into question, in addition to, "the reports that Irv Rubin took his own life," in 2002 while in prison.[7] Three years later, Krugel was murdered in prison.
Identitarian Faith Goldy was attacked by white nationalists after interviewing the head of the Jewish Defense League.[8]
The JDL is strongly pro-Zionist and opposes self-hating Jews.[9] They engaged in "Operation Screwball" against Neturei Karta, who attended the international Holocaust denial conference in Iran.[10]
JDL Canada has been frequently smeared by the media,[11][12] and has been censored by Facebook multiple times.[13] They were falsely accused of unjustly "beating" an innocent "Palestinian" man.[14]
The JDL has a wide range of detractors, but also a considerable amount of defenders.[15][16]
In France, the JDL has been falsely accused of fomenting violence, but in reality has been taking defensive retribution against the pertinent issue of anti-Semitism.[17]
The domestic terrorist organization Antifa has referred to the JDL as, "Nazis."[18]
The Jewish Defense League has peacefully protested several anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic events. For example, they protested an event at Barnard College which compared efforts to, "free Palestine," to criminal justice reform in the U.S.[19] JDL Canada has protested the immorality of LGBT "Pride" in Toronto. They claimed that, "During the Nazi era, many high-ranking Nazis were gay" (see Nazi Germany and homosexuality).[20] They have also held rallies and events of their own to promote Jewish, Zionist, and conservative causes and to raise awareness about anti-Semitism.[21] In addition, they have participated in pro-Jewish and nationalist events held by other conservatives,[22] especially rallies in support of the State of Israel.[23]
The Jewish Defense League has endorsed President Donald John Trump.[24]